ZIMBABWE fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani helped Multan Sultans clinch their maiden Pakistan Super League (PSL) title yesterday in Abu Dhabi.
Sultans who were playing in their first-ever PSL final beat Peshawar Zalmi by 47 runs as Peshawar Zalmi ended their innings on 159/9 while chasing 207 for victory.
Muzarabani, who had a stellar debut PSL season, took two wickets for 26 runs in his four overs.
The lanky fast bowler joined forces with Zimbabwe legend Andy Flower to turn around the fortunes of Multans in the second half of the PSL to become champions.
It was a day to savour for Multans as the batters put 206 on the board for the loss of four wickets, and it was over to the bowlers to defend the massive total.
Muzarabani has done everything for his franchise, from opening the bowling or playing as first change, but each time he delivered big wickets when his team desperately required them.
In the sixth over, Muzarabani was hit for a six by Hazratullah Zazai, the dangerous Afghanistan batsman but got him the next ball with a well-disguised slower ball and Zazai was snapped at point for six by Shan Masood.
The big man was up and running in the final.
His first two overs went for 11 runs and the wicket of Zazai.
Peshawar remained in the hunt without really threatening to run away with it as the run rate continued to soar.
Muzarabani returned into the attack in the 15th over and took another big wicket that of Rovman Powell.
The only dent in that over was conceding a four and a six in his last two balls.
Imran Tahir showed his experience with three quick wickets to take the life out of Peshawar’s run chase.
Muzarabani bowled the last over of the final as Multan Sultans were confirmed champions of the sixth edition of the PSL as Peshawar finished on 159 for nine.
In six matches of the PSL, the Highfield born Muzarabani bowled 18.4 overs, took 10 wickets for 144 runs and his best being 3/31.
Muzarabini’s stint with Multans under the tutelage of fellow Zimbabwean, Flower, was one of the best adverts of Zimbabwe Cricket’s talent.
Hopefully, it was enough to earn him an Indian Premier League contract in two months and many other T20 Leagues worldwide.
